Remember Me
forgot your password?

Abuse of the Elderly is Tragically Common

 

It is a rather sad time in the United States when we have a day set aside (June 15) called Elder Abuse Awareness Day, intended to raise awareness of abuse towards older adults. This day is recognized by healthcare professionals and support groups and organizations around the world, not just in our country. According to the National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA), elder abuse is the term used to refer to any knowing, intentional or negligent act by a caregiver or any other person that causes harm to a vulnerable adult. Much of this abuse takes place in nursing facilities and hospitals across the nation.

Abuse of an elderly person's finances is the most common form of elder abuse; however, there are many other kinds including physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, neglect and abandonment.

Physical Abuse

Physical abuse is the use of physical force resulting in bodily injury, physical pain or impairment. Acts of physical abuse may include striking with a hand or object, beating, pushing, shaking, slapping, kicking, and burning. Force-feeding an elder adult is also considered physical abuse as is the inappropriate use of physical restraints.

Signs of physical abuse:

  • Bruises, abrasions, burns, or broken bones
  • Open wounds or cuts
  • Broken eyeglass and other signs of being subjected to punishment
  • Sudden change in behavior

Sexual Abuse

Sexual abuse is non-consensual contact with an elderly person that can include unwanted touching, sexual assault or battery such as rape, sodomy and sexually explicit photographing.

Signs of sexual abuse:

  • Bruises around breasts and genital area
  • Unexplained venereal disease or infection
  • Unexplained vaginal or anal bleeding
  • Torn or bloody undergarments

Emotional Abuse

Emotional abuse is the infliction of pain or distress through verbal and nonverbal acts such as insults, threats, humiliation, intimidation and harassment.

Signs of emotional abuse:

  • Being upset or agitated
  • Being withdrawn and non-communicative
  • Unusual behavior

Neglect

Neglect is the failure to fulfill any part of a person's obligations to take care of the elder.

Signs of neglect:

  • Malnutrition, dehydration, bedsores, or poor hygiene
  • Untreated health problems
  • Unsanitary living conditions

Abandonment

Abandonment is the desertion of the elder adult by an individual who is supposed to be taking care of him or her.

Signs of abandonment:

  • The elder is left at the hospital or nursing facility
  • The elder is left at a public place such as a shopping mall or church

Financial Exploitation

Financial exploitation is the most common type of abuse found in older adults and is defined as the illegal or improper use of an elder's funds, property or assets. Checks may be cashed that belong to the elder adult, signatures may be forged, and possessions may be stolen.

Signs of financial exploitation:

  • Sudden changes in financial situation
  • Additional names found on the elder's accounts
  • Unauthorized withdrawals of money
  • Disappearance of possessions
  • Unexplained transfers of funds
  • Evidence of forged signatures

If you feel a loved one may be the victim of elder abuse, please contact the nursing facility supervisor, hospital administrator, or some other person of authority in the institution in which the elder lives.

Lynn Fugaro

If your elderly loved one has been abused or neglected by a healthcare professional in Philadelphia or anywhere in Pennsylvania, please contact the Nursing Home Abuse & Neglect Lawyers at Pomerantz Perlberger & Lewis LLP.

Rate this Article: 0 / 5 stars - 0 vote(s)
Print Email Re-Publish

Add new Comment



Captcha

  • Latest Elderly Care Articles
  • More from Lynn Fugaro

Home Care Winston Salem – Local Agency Reaches Out To The Elderly and Disabled

By: Greg Brewer | 09/11/2009
As the number of baby boomers reaching retirement age steadily grows, home care in Winston Salem is becoming a critical issue. Families are forced to decide whether to provide support to aging loved ones themselves, or hire an in-home care provider.

7 Bathroom Renovations for Aging in Place Gracefully

By: Romi | 09/11/2009
You can stay in your own apartment longer, rather than entering assisted living. Using these bathroom renovation ideas, aging in place can be a reality. Learn fast and efficient ideas for bathroom renovating with cabinet hardware and more.

Elderly Care - Tips and Guide to Choosing Assisted Living Facilities

By: Jared Wright | 06/11/2009
Choosing a facility for your aging parent, friend or family member can be a vast responsibly. The longer and elderly person can stay independent the better, but there comes a time in their lives that they will need special care and attention that can only be provided by a caregiver or an assisted living facility.

Finding Special Care for Your Parents - Elderly Caregivers

By: Jared Wright | 05/11/2009
Having parents or family members that are approaching old age is always a concern. We all would like to be able to care of them and make their last years as pleasant as possible. It is, however, easier said than done. With job and other responsibilities very few people have the time or means to care for an elderly person.

Retirement Communities

By: Alice Shown | 05/11/2009
Retirement communities are especially designed for people who are above 55 years of age.

Assisted Living Facility for Individuals with Alzheimer's or other Dementia

By: Alice Shown | 05/11/2009
Alzheimer's disease affects approximately 26 million people worldwide.

Selecting a Care home for your loved ones

By: Jstrange | 04/11/2009
Thinking about who is the best person to care for your mom or dad is a never ending thought. Here I am writing some tips to guide you in selection of best care home for your loved ones.

Menopause and Andropause: The Baby Boomers Nightmare

By: Boomeryearbook.com | 03/11/2009
Baby boomers have always been accustomed to being in the driving seat where their sex drive is concerned. Andropause and menopause are like the proverbial spanner in the works and both can cause chaos in the life of an unsuspecting baby boomer.

Dangers of Sleep Apnea

By: Lynn Fugaro | 30/10/2009 | Diseases & Conditions
Without the knowledge of an experienced sleep apnea specialist, chances are that many of the harmful effects of sleep apnea might be dismissed as ordinary snoring. The blocking of the airways during sleep carries with it all sorts of potential problems, up to and including death.

Drivin’ That Train, High on Cocaine (well, Drivin’ That Truck, Really)

By: Lynn Fugaro | 23/12/2008 | Personal Injury
A recent study by the Insurance Institute for Traffic Safety showed that 15% of all interstate truck drivers had marijuana in their system, 12% had stimulants (non-prescription), 5% had prescription stimulants, 2% had cocaine and less than 1% had alcohol in their system.

What is Traumatic Brain Injury?

By: Lynn Fugaro | 23/12/2008 | Personal Injury
A traumatic brain injury, or TBI, is a serious injury that can have an impact on every aspect of the victim’s life, and even the lives of their loved ones. What’s worse is that a traumatic brain injury can occur with few obvious outward signs.

Beverly Hills Cosmetic Surgery

By: Lynn Fugaro | 12/12/2008 | Plastic Surgeries
It seems that with each passing year, a new and improved cosmetic surgery procedure has emerged. Men and women of all ages want cuter noses, larger breasts, more pronounced cheeks, poutier lips, smaller butts, tighter abs, and more taut faces.

Abuse of the Elderly is Tragically Common

By: Lynn Fugaro | 26/09/2008 | Elderly Care
It is a rather sad time in the United States when we have a day set aside (June 15) called Elder Abuse Awareness Day, intended to raise awareness of abuse towards older adults.

A Physician’s Oversight: Failure to Diagnose

By: Lynn Fugaro | 27/08/2008 | Personal Injury
Due to carelessness or negligence, many times a doctor simply overlooks what he should be seeing. This is called failure to diagnose, and it accounts for 40% of all medical malpractice claims.

Why Dental Implants?

By: Lynn Fugaro | 26/06/2008 | Dental Care
If you have any missing teeth, you will know that they can be replaced with dentures or a bridge, but you might want to consider a dental implant instead.

What is Pericardial Mesothelioma?

By: Lynn Fugaro | 23/06/2008 | Cancer
Pericardial mesothelioma is a form of mesothelioma that affects the lining of the heart, (pericardium).

Submit Your Articles Free: Signup
Article Categories




Use of this web site constitutes acceptance of the Terms Of Use and Privacy Policy | User published content is licensed under a Creative Commons License.
Copyright © 2005-2008 Free Articles by ArticlesBase.com, All rights reserved. (0.72, 6, w1)